That first journey home from the hospital with your new tiny human may be the most daunting drive you will ever take, but choosing the right infant car seat is essential to make it a little less stressful. German company Cybex produces seats suitable for everyone
from newborns to toddlers, so we tried out the Cloud G i-Size to see how it stands up to scrutiny.
The Cloud G i-Size is an infant car seat suitable for passengers from birth up to around 24 months, or 13kg. It comes in a few different colours and two different fabric finishes, Comfort and Plus. Comfort is a stretch-knit, soft fabric that comes in black or grey, but splash out a little more and you can upgrade to Plus, which incorporates a more durable second fabric which is both textured and ventilated for greater comfort. The Comfort variant is also well-ventilated, with the same panels in the seat back itself, but the absence of the meshed fabric means a little less free-flowing air around the seat. We haven’t tested this feature, so at this stage, we’ll have to take the company’s word for it.
Cybex states that at the heart of its brand ethos and product development stands “the combination of unique design, unsurpassed safety and quality and intelligent functionality.” Arguably, it’s difficult to design an infant car seat in a unique way, but we have to admit that the Plus version particularly does have the edge stylistically, as there are more colour options, as well as added detailing in the design.
To ensure maximum comfort and safety for the smallest passengers, the seat has a newborn insert, which gives extra support during those first weeks and can be easily removed as your baby grows. We also like that the Cloud G can be reclined into a lie-flat position, both in and out of the car base. With just a small adjustment, the baby can nap in a more comfortable, stretched-out position in the seat.
It’s pretty light, too, making it easier to carry as the child gets heavier. The seat is just 3.9kg, which isn’t the lightest on the market, but it comes reasonably close. If you’re looking to head abroad, the Cloud G i-Size is also certified for use on aeroplanes, which is a definite plus point when travelling with a baby.
Cloud G i-Size incorporates a built-in foldable sunshade to the top of the seat, so your baby has extra protection from the direct sun, both in the car and out and about if you’re using the seat with a stroller frame. A rain cover is available to buy separately, providing protection for all weather.
How Easy Is It To Install?
The Cloud G base is extremely easy to fit into your vehicle using the Isofix points. Simply extend the leg from the base of the unit and the Isofix clips on each side, and slide them into the anchor points on your car. Once they are correctly connected, an indicator on each side of the seat base will show green. That’s it — a piece of cake.
Attaching the carry seat to the base is just as easy, and the handy 180-degree rotation of the seat base means it can be done without having to lean in at awkward angles. With the swivel section in the base turned towards the door, the seat simply clicks into position, and with a squeeze of the handle, the seat rotates and clicks ready for travel. There are also handy indicators here, so you’ll know the seat is properly connected and safely in position before you head off.
Cybex Cloud G i-Size: The Verdict
There’s lots that we love about the Cybex Cloud G i-Size; it has increased side impact protection, a lie-flat option, and a 180-degree swivel base, making it very easy to use. The red and green indicators are crystal clear and easy to understand, letting you know everything is correctly attached and safe at every step.
One factor that weighs against the Cloud G i-Size a little is the price. When you purchase the first-size seat, the base is sold separately, bringing the total for the seat and base to around £415. That’s more than some well-known brands, but the quality of the Cloud G is exceptionally high. And, once Cloud G i-Size has been outgrown, the next sized seat, the Sirona G i-Size, can be used with the same base, making that initial investment a little less painful.
Model Tested: Cybex Cloud G i-Size Plus with Base G
Price: £230 plus £185 for the base
Average Janes Rating: ★★★★☆
